Pierre Balmain
 |
Pierre Alexandre Claudius Balmain (1914-1982)
Was born in St Jean de Maurienne, France. Gave up architectural studies to become a designer in 1934. Opened his own Haute Couture house immediately following the war, in the autumn of 1945, in Paris. He worked briefly with Christian Dior, who became his rival after World War II. Balmain’s designs (evening dresses, tailored suits, sportswear, stoles, costumes for the theatre and cinema) were characterized by superb quality and a combination of femininity and imposing elegance, he created a style of an active, irrepressible woman with a touch of independence in her nature. Balmain designed personal wardrobes for numerous international stars, including Brigitte Bardot, Marlene Dietrich, and Katherine Hepburn. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand, choose him to be her personal couturier.
Wrote autobiography My Years and Seasons (1964).
Balmain Fashion House
 |
With the disappearance of Pierre Balmain in 1982, the torch was passed to Erik Mortensen – his personal assistant since 1951 and his closest collaborator. When Erik Mortensen left the House of Balmain in July 1990, he was replaced by youthful Herve-Pierre, who served as designer from 1990 through 1993 for both the Haute Couture and ready-to-wear collections. In january 1993, internationally renowned American designer Oscar de la Renta signed his first Haute Couture collection for Pierre Balmain. Since 2003 the leading designers of Balmain haute couture house is Laurent Mercier. Balmain house creates a luxury ready to wear collection since 2000. The Belmain house distributes his luxury products (perfumes, watches, jewellery, eyewear) more than in 108 countries.
Official Balmains site
